This is definitely the last amount of outfit I have worn in an outfit post! Yesterday, we went to Chunky Dunk. Chunky Dunk is a a series of body positive group swims that happens each summer. Their mission is to provide a safe, shame-free place for all body types to put on a bathing suit and enjoy a swim. The group was started in Portland and they would like other cities to start their own too. I have gone for the last few years and have been looking forward to it all year. The event and organizers have made a huge difference in the way I feel about my body, allowing me to do something like pose in a bathing suit on one of the more busier streets in North Portland!
swimsuit : walmart
vintage headscarf : thrifted
jellies: fred meyers
glasses : coastal
Obviously, you can see I finally found a bathing suit to buy! The day before, we drove almost an hour to go to a Walmart that still had suits in my size. I had called or went to at least 10 stores and was ready to drive as far as it took! I ended up getting 3 suits in different colors because they were so affordable and fit me perfectly. They are also surprisingly well made and comfortable! Who knew?! I still think it was way more of a pain in the ass than is should have been. But I am so happy to have found these!
There were plenty of onlookers and people driving by as we took photos. I took it as flattery when people honked their horns! Plus, there was a bike race going on so big groups of bikers kept passing by and gawking. I hope nobody fell off their bike! The attention accounts for my laughing. Instead of being horrified or embarrassed, I soaked it up and didn't let it stop me. It was a very empowering experience!
The suit totally works as a top too.
cardigan : thrifted
shorts : thrifted
Chunky Dunk was a blast and I can't wait until the next one in a couple weeks! I met someone (Hi, Tara!) that reads my blog and found out about the event through me, which was really awesome. Awesome to chat with her, because she was super cool, and spread the word!
Will you be confident in a bathing suit this year? I hope so!
- Rachele
44 ♥ COMMENTS ♥:
It sounds like a a great event! That swimsuit looks fab - glad you finally found something! I know your pain - it can be very frustrating! Jen x
You look awesome! I'm glad you found a good one in time. Also, this whole entire story should totally go in your book.
Oh man, that sounds so empowering and fun! I think I need to start something like that here in Canada. Off to look for pools to rent!
You look fantastic! We went to the beach on Saturday and while I was a little hesitant at first, I eventually shed my clothes down to my new bikini. Then it took a little more time to work up to actually walking past all the people on the beach and into the water. I did it! And the water was super gross and full of seaweed so I just went back out. Next time, we'll go to a nicer beach....
Such a cute suit, I love the retro cut! I'm always surprised when Walmart has something adorable.
YAY RACHELE!
Funny how walmart pulls through for us fat chicks. Sexy FTW!
Super cute!! I love your bathing suit find! It makes me want to go out and find one that's not black....You look AMAZING!! the suit looks stunning on you!
You look hawt! I was so channeling everything I've been reading from your blog lately as I went bathing suit shopping with my sister. It turned out to be a bust, but I refuse to lose hope yet. That animal print is just fierce, though! I love it!
YAY!! you look amazing in that bathing suit! the top of the bathing suit is beautiful! and walmart! way to go walmart! i was so sad that you couldn't find anything. everyone needs to have an amazing bathing suit they feel awesome in because swimming is one of the greatest things EVER!!! i love swimming so much! so happy that you found some bathing suits that you look and feel fantastic in!!
xo,
cb
Thank you dear! And I agree, swimming is the best. I have swam all my life. Seriously, baby swim lessons. My grandparents had a pool and we swam all the time!
Thanks lady! I definitely recommend Walmart for their Catalina line. I know it isn't the most responsible place to shop but they are doing it right!
Thank you Walmart! I feel a new respect for them since they treat their plus size customers well. The clerks were really nice too and she remembered me from calling the day before and was like genuinely excited with me about the bathing suits.
Totally surprised too! Way to go Walmart :)
Thanks! Good job facing your fears! I bet it felt good except for the seaweed part. Yuck! I can't stand feeling things like that in between my toes and brushing against my leg.
It is! I hope you start a chunky dunk over there! Everyone needs one :)
Thank you! It is exactly the kind of stories that I want my book to be filled with. I am sure it will be expanded!
Thanks! It sounds like a universal story for all women. The big struggle of getting a swimsuit. It's time they start offering better options in the store for all body types. I went to Macy's and they didn't have one plus sized swim suit in the store. So strange! I was baffled.
I'm so excited that you found such a cute suit. I really love it. The leopard print is so hot and looks wicked with your hair. You definitely deserved to find one that made you feel fantastic. And power to you for doing your photoshoot out in the open for all to see. You are such a beautiful and confident lady. Such an inspiration!
If I can get my shit together this afternoon, I intend to do my first link up for Proud of My Size. I'm really excited about it. I think the things that you're doing on this blog are truly fantastic and so needed. There just isn't enough self-love on the interwebs or in the media in general.
Keep it up, and I'll be sure to keep reading and supporting your every move. :)
That's a GREAT find! Lucky you! You've really gave me the urge to get a new swimsuit but I'm afraid it might already be too late in the season (???). And what a great idea of an event, I've never of that before.
Wow, wow, wow! You look so amazing! I love the leopard print and you're right: It looks great as a top.
Becky
xx
http://www.beckybedbug.com
Woo! You have great legs miss! I can't believe you keep those babies hidden. You should definitely show those off more in posts, it's for the good of mankind! :) Love the suit and I definitely wish we had something like this in GA.
Cute suit! Love the pattern! So glad you were able to find something that you loved and that is super adorable! :)
Yay! I am so glad to have met you IRL. Your pics came out great!
What an awesome idea! I need to speak to someone about organizing a 'Chunky Dunk" in my hometown this summer. I think it would go down a treat.
You look stunning in that suit. The smile on your face just radiates glee.
that is a great suit! looks like i'm going to wal mart tomorrow to see if they have them near me!
That suit looks great on you and the print really goes with your hair color & style! I find stuff at walmart alot too Iove their Just My Size stuff too,especially the cotton pull on shorts! They are soo comfy & cheap price! I dunno about anyone else but I have such a hard time finding denim shorts that are comfy and dont give you a muffin top from hell or if you find some you like the waist seems to get bigger & bigger as you wear them through out the day! When I do find stuff I like I buy a couple pair & different colors!
You look SOOOOOOOOOOOO hot in that!!! Man, I am inspired now......watch me don a swimsuit with my pasty white skin and too-red hair! (though I have a water phobia and won't dare go in a pool)
That suit is so cute on you!
I can't believe it took so much effort to find suits, but I'd say it was worth it. :)
Chunky Dunk sounds like a great group swim, I wish we had them here!
What a great suit - the cut is exactly what I'm looking for! I can't believe you found it at Walmart. You are truly an inspiration. I've just gotten to the point where I'll take my shorts off to get in the pool in my parent's backyard.
I really admire how body confident you are - it's never ever been my strong point
Thank you for being you! You've truly inspired me to start embracing my body regardless of its size. I appreciate being able to read your posts.
Hello Rachele! I bumped into your blog and was completely in love with it! I´m from Brazil and have a plus size blog too, named Gordita (means chubby in portuguese), and decided to link your blog in a post, showing your style to my readers! Is that okay? I thought it would be fine...
I´ll be around, just loved your blog and syle! Keep it up! Cheers from Brazil!
http://gordita.com.br
You betta werk! You look great! :)
This sounds fab! I want to go--thanks as always!
and I will tell you something that was super-empowering. Going to the nude beach near my old hometown and strutting my self...took a little working up to. at first I was just topless, but eventually I went all thew way!
yes, it can really be a project. I mostly go with the home of the gray bags....
I looooooove these pictures! That bathing suit looks absolutely fabulous - and I also choose to believe that people were honking at your hotness. You look amazing!
You look so amazing!!!! =) I love how confident and lovely you are. It's shines through to all of your posts! =)
Those swimmers are amazing!!
How refreshing you are!!! Just stumbled across your blog from a link somewhere and I just had to tell you (even though it's obvious you already know :) ) how beautiful you are and how much you're helping so many women out there!
Ahhhh it looks AMAZING! So gorgeous, well done! xx
You are an incredibly, amazing and beautiful soul! Very inspiring. Thank YOU!
I've just been on holiday and I took a photo of me in my bathing suit specifically to post it in your 'I am proud of my size' link up. Your bathing suit looks completely amazing. Good on your girl!
I love swimsuits that can double as tops and that cut is sooooooo cute!
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